Palo Alto (CA) Temperatures: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights
On this page, we’ll explore Palo Alto’s temperature statistics in detail, including day and night variations and monthly averages. We’ll also compare the annual temperature to other cities in the United States of America.
Monthly Temperature Averages
The climate in Palo Alto is known for significant temperature differences throughout the year. Typically, maximum daytime temperatures range from a warm 26°C in September to a mild 15°C in the coolest month, December. Nights are cooler, with temperatures generally dropping to 5°C, particularly during the colder months.
The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in Palo Alto by month:
The minimum temperature is often recorded between 4 AM and 6 AM, while the highest temperature is usually reached at 3 PM. During this time the sun's heating effect is the strongest. September, the city’s warmest month receives 270 hours of sunshine.
The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:
December, the city’s coldest month, receives about 83 mm of rainfall spread over roughly 12 days. For more information, please visit our Palo Alto Precipitation page.
Annual Temperatures in the United States of America Compared
The map below shows the annual temperature across the United States of America. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
very warm
warm
pleasant
moderate
cold
very cold
Palo Alto Temperatures Compared World Wide
Palo Alto’s average annual maximum temperature is 21°C. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:
The city of Rome, Italy, has an average annual temperature of 20°C, known for its sunny summers and comfortable winters.
In contrast, in Zermatt, Switzerland, the average annual temperature is significantly lower at 4°C, with mild summers and very cold winters.
Beijing, China, experiences more extreme temperature shifts, but still averaging 20°C annually.
In Brisbane, Australia, the average annual temperature is 26°C, making it warmer than Sydney.
How does the temperature feel?
Humidity is an essential factor in how you experience temperature. When a warm period is accompanied by high humidity, it results in a higher perceived temperature. This is especially true when temperatures exceed 25°C, as it can cause greater discomfort.
In Palo Alto, during the coolest month, December, you will experience 78% humidity, which is considered high. This is accompanied by an average maximum temperature of 15°C. In the warmest month, September, the humidity is 73% combined with an average maximum temperature of 26°C, which creates a high-feel temperature. Explore our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.
How are these Temperatures Measured?
Generally, temperature data depicting climate is usually given over a 30-year average in order to reduce short-term fluctuations and reveal better long-term trends in climate conditions.
This temperature data is taken from land-based thermometers, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. These measurements are transmitted to weather stations and climate centers around the globe where they are processed, averaged, and analyzed in order to monitor the trends and create climate models.
Sea vs. Land Temperatures
The influence of nearby oceans or large water bodies significantly affects local temperatures:
- Ocean Influence: Coastal regions tend to have more stable temperatures, as large bodies of water absorb and release heat slowly. This often results in milder winters and cooler summers compared to inland areas.
- Continental Climates: Landmasses well away from large bodies of water tend to show greater extremes in temperature, having hotter summers and colder winters because of the absence of water as a moderating influence.
For more detailed information about Palo Alto’s weather, including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity levels, visit our Palo Alto climate page.
Current temperature in Palo Alto (CA)
2 m/s
broken clouds and no rain
4 m/s
broken clouds and slight rain
3 m/s
partly cloudy and rain
